Posted on 03/18/2006 9:19:41 PM PST by Congressman Billybob
Candidates for Congress get questionnaires from many organizations. Most encourage us to file our answers on line. All but one have assured us that our “answers will not be edited” or censored. There was one, glaring exception, the North Carolina “Edukashun” Association.
This group keeps their answers private, sharing them only with their state leaders and their “member-convenors” who interview us in district to see if we’re really toeing the party line. Answers are never shared with union members.
Okay, let’s break the embargo. Here are some of my answers, and I welcome responses from teachers who agree, or disagree, with the union’s positions or mine.
Q: Do you oppose vouchers? A: No, I support them. If competition is important in getting the best cars and the best hamburgers, it is good for getting the best education for children – which is a whole lot more important than hamburgers or autos.
Q: Do you favor limiting the definition of “highly qualified teachers” to state-certified teachers, eliminating exemptions for charter schools, and alternate certification methods. A: Absolutely not. The state programs are turning out many teachers who don’t know their subjects. Any teacher who actually knows his/her subject and can teach, should be welcome in our schools.
Q: Do you support more money being poured into inadequate schools? A: Not if those are failed schools. They should be closed and replaced by competent schools – public, charter, private, whatever.
Q: Should math and reading testing be extended to more grades? A: Absolutely. The more we know about how badly students are doing in schools-as-they-are, the sooner we will get competent reforms.
Q: Do you oppose private accounts for part of people’s Social Security funds? A: Absolutely not. Thirty-year-old programs in Galveston and elsewhere show that careful private investments far outstrip the benefits from Social Security itself. Again, competition is healthy. And since when is this a school issue?
Q: Do you support universal, government-run health care? A: No, I don’t. And one of the clearest examples why are the Canadians who have such a system, who are coming into the US for treatment so they don’t die on the waiting lists for such government “guaranteed” care. And, since when is this a school issue?
Q: Do you support federal legislation protecting employees in private and public sectors (not just schools) against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity? A: No, I do not. I think the Boy Scouts have it exactly right. Certain people gravitate to environments with children, and are a risk to the children. It is the height of absurdity for the law to require such risks to be taken.
The NC “Edukashun” Assn is careful to make clear on each question what its preferred answer is. In each case, my answer is the opposite. And from being involved in education for 22 years and counting, I know there are many teachers who agree with me, not with the union, even those who are compelled by state law to belong to a union which opposes their views.
This is why I believe the NCEA and its parent, the National “Edukashun” Assn, are the principal cause of the dumbing down of American education for 40 years and counting. And if anyone looks at the website for the NEA and reads their policy statement, you will see policy stands that have nothing to do with education, and are contributing causes to the degeneration of American society in general.
It strikes me that the NCEA, unlike all the other organizations, is not sharing the candidates’ responses with their membership, precisely so their members who disagree will not see which candidates stand with them, rather than with their out-of-touch leaders.
The Politburo of the late and unlamented Soviet Union was no less vigorous in enforcing the party line, and preventing the publication of dissenting views, than the NEA and its surrogate the NCEA, are in their candidate endorsement process. Their process is both incestuous and reprehensible. Hence, this column. And, as I frequently say, let the chips fall where they may.
About the Author: John Armor is candidate for Congress in the 11th District of North Carolina. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu
John / Billybob
BTTT
With accurate and truthful candor like this, John Armor hasn't got a chance. However I admire his cajones!!
Not necessarily. From what I understand, scandals are beginning to surround the incumbent, so the dark horse just might be getting a bit lighter.
At any rate, it will make for an interesting race.
However I admire his cajones!! Did you mean cojones?
I understand from a recent article in our local Dinosaur-cage liner that this word has vulgar connotations.
I know that "huevos" (eggs) is another Spanish slang term for the same male anatomical entities; I think it is considered less vulgar, but am not really sure.
Both words, depending upon how they are used and in what context, are vulgar. They are, however, used in daily speech by Mexicans and are often regarded as humorous. If used in an insulting way, as in describing the attributes of individual "macho" men, they can lead to violence. The word "huevon" is a particularly insulting word describing a truly stupid person It fits most RATs.
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